KR20050058982A - Viewing information collecting system, viewing information collecting server, and portable terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

The viewing information collection system includes a terminal and a server. The terminal outputs a broadcast program to be watched, and generates viewing state information indicating a state in which the broadcast program is viewed. The server retrieves subscriber information corresponding to ID information of the terminal from the subscriber database, and generates viewing analysis information in which some of the subscriber information is associated with the viewing status information. Here, the subscriber database associates subscriber information with ID information.

Description

VIEWING INFORMATION COLLECTING SYSTEM, VIEWING INFORMATION COLLECTING SERVER, AND PORTABLE TERMINAL}

The present invention relates to a viewing information collection system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a viewing information collection system for collecting viewing information (relative to visual data and / or audio data) of content such as television programs watched by a portable terminal.

In the case of the conventional audience rating investigation of analog ground wave television, the apparatus for examining audience rating is installed in the television located in a private home. Thereafter, information about the watched channels and the viewing time thereof is collected by the bureau.

However, in the case of a conventional audience rating survey of analog ground wave television, the targets for collecting information are television broadcasts watched in private homes. Therefore, it is impossible to specify the viewer who actually watched the broadcast of the channel among the families of the private home in which the apparatus is installed. Therefore, it is impossible to obtain information on the gender, age group, occupation, etc. of the viewer who watched the broadcast of the channel.

Recently, in the portable terminal service, a service for transmitting a television broadcast to the portable terminal has been made. Several techniques have been proposed for collecting viewing information. These techniques target portable terminals capable of watching such television broadcasts. For example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application JP-A 2002-232604, a portable terminal receives a menu screen and a picture advertisement transmitted using ground wave digital broadcasting. After viewing the video advertisement selected from the menu screen, the portable terminal transmits information indicating the viewing of the video advertisement to the video advertisement service provider along with the telephone number of the portable terminal. The video advertisement service provider obtains the personal information from the subscriber personal information of the communication common carrier based on the telephone number of the portable terminal that viewed the video advertisement. Thereafter, the video advertisement service provider transmits the telephone number of the portable terminal and its personal information to each public telecommunications provider.

 In the technique disclosed in JP-A 2002-232604, information representing viewing of a video advertisement is sent to a video advertising company. Here, this video advertisement is a target for the return of the communication fee. Thus, the history managed by the image advertising company is the viewing history only for the image advertisement selected and viewed to return the communication fee. This is not information used for audience rating surveys. Therefore, it is impossible to collect the viewing information used for the audience rating survey.

In addition, in the technique of JP-A 2002-232604, the viewing history is managed by the advertising company, and the personal information is managed by the public communication service provider. Therefore, the effort and management cost for data management becomes excessive.

In addition, the advertising company requires excessive effort to prepare the viewing history data, because the personal information managed by the public telecommunications carrier is delivered whenever the viewing result is transmitted from the portable terminal.

In addition, when a public carrier transmits personal information, this personal information may be leaked to the outside.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a viewing information collection system, a viewing information collecting server thereof, and a portable terminal for collecting viewing information, which can accurately collect viewing information on content viewed by a portable terminal. will be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a viewing information collecting system, a viewing information collecting server thereof, and a portable terminal for collecting viewing information, which can reduce efforts and expenses in managing personal information and viewing history data. .

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a viewing information collection system, a viewing information collecting server thereof, and a portable terminal for collecting viewing information, which can reduce communication efforts and costs required for preparing viewing history data. will be.

Another object of the present invention is a viewing information collection system, its viewing information collecting server and portable for collecting viewing information, which can prevent external leakage induced in the process of delivering personal information and increase security efficiency. It is to provide a terminal.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description and drawings.

In order to achieve an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a viewing information collection system comprising a portable terminal and a viewing information collection server. The portable terminal includes a memory unit, a viewing unit, a control unit, and a first communication unit. The memory unit stores first terminal identification information identifying the portable terminal. The viewing unit receives the content of the broadcast program as the viewing content, and outputs the viewing content to be viewed. The control unit generates first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed. The first communication unit transmits the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server. The audience information collection server includes a second communication unit, a subscriber database and an analysis unit. The second communication unit receives the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information from the portable terminal. The subscriber database associates the plurality of terminal identification information with the plurality of subscriber information identifying the plurality of portable terminals. The analyzing unit retrieves first subscriber information corresponding to the first terminal identification information from the subscriber database, reads predetermined first information in the first subscriber information, and viewing analysis in which the first information is associated with the first viewing status information. Generate information.

In the viewing information collection system, the first viewing state information may include content identification information identifying viewing content.

In the viewing information collection system, the first viewing state information may further include a viewing time at which viewing content is output and viewed.

In the viewing information collection system, the viewing content may include one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program.

In order to achieve another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a viewing information collection server comprising a communication unit, a subscriber database, and an analysis unit. The communication unit receives first viewing status information and first terminal identification information from the first portable terminal. The first viewing state information indicates a state in which viewing content is output by the first portable terminal and viewed. The viewing content is content of a broadcast program and is received by the first portable terminal. The first terminal identification information identifies the first portable terminal. The subscriber database associates the plurality of terminal identification information with the plurality of subscriber information identifying the plurality of portable terminals. The analyzing unit retrieves the first subscriber information corresponding to the first terminal identification information from the subscriber database. The analyzing unit reads the predetermined first information in the first subscriber information and generates viewing analysis information in which the first information is associated with the first viewing state information.

In the viewing information collection server, the first viewing state information may include content identification information identifying viewing content.

In the viewing information collection server, the first viewing state information may further include a viewing time at which viewing content is output and viewed.

In the viewing information collection server, the analyzing unit may determine whether the first viewing state information includes the viewing time at which the viewing content was output and viewed. If it is determined that the viewing time is not included, the analysis unit may generate viewing analysis information. The first information, the first viewing status information, and the reception time are each associated in the viewing analysis information. The reception time is a time at which the first viewing status information is received.

In the viewing information collection server, the viewing content may include one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program.

In the viewing information collection server, the analysis unit may include a location information obtaining unit that obtains location information indicating a location where the viewing content is output and viewed by the first portable terminal.

In the audience information collection server, the location information obtaining unit may obtain location information based on the identification information of the base station. The base station manages communication in the area where the first portable terminal is present.

In the audience information collection server, the location information obtaining unit may obtain location information based on the second information transmitted from the first portable terminal. The second information indicates the location where the first portable terminal is present.

The viewing information collection server may further include a fee database and an accounting control unit. The toll database stores communication fee information indicating a communication fee of the first portable terminal. The accounting control unit reduces the communication fee of the fee database based on the first viewing state information.

In order to achieve another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a portable terminal including a memory unit, a viewing unit, a control unit, and a communication unit. The memory unit stores first terminal identification information identifying the portable terminal. The viewing unit receives the content of the broadcast program as the viewing content and outputs the viewing content to be viewed. The control unit generates first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed. The communication unit transmits the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server of the communication service provider.

In the portable terminal, the first viewing status information may include content identification information for identifying the viewing content.

In the portable terminal, the first viewing status information may further include a viewing time when the viewing content is output and viewed.

In a portable terminal, the viewing content may include one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program.

In the portable terminal, each time the control unit generates the first viewing status information, the communication unit may transmit the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server.

In the portable terminal, the communication unit can transmit the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server for every predetermined amount of the first viewing status information.

In the portable terminal, the communication unit may transmit the first viewing status information to the viewing information collecting server in response to a transmission request signal of the first viewing status information output from the viewing information collecting server.

In the portable terminal, the communication unit may transmit the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server at a predetermined time.

The portable terminal may further include a location obtaining unit, obtaining location information indicating a location where the portable terminal is present. The communication unit can transmit the location information to the viewing information collection server.

In order to achieve another aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a method for collecting viewing information, wherein the viewing information collecting method comprises: (a) outputting, by a first portable terminal, the viewing content to be watched; The viewing content is content of a broadcast program and is output by the first portable terminal; (b) generating, by the first portable terminal, first viewing state information indicating a state in which viewing content is watched; (c) transmitting, by the first portable terminal, the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server, wherein the first terminal identification information identifies the first portable terminal; (d) receiving, by the viewing information collection server, the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information from the first portable terminal; And (e) searching, by the viewing information collection server, the first subscriber information corresponding to the first terminal identification information from the subscriber database, reading the predetermined first information in the first subscriber information, and the first information being the first. Generating viewing analysis information associated with the viewing state information. The subscriber database associates the plurality of terminal identification information with the plurality of subscriber information identifying the plurality of portable terminals.

In the method for collecting viewing information according to claim 23, step (b) comprises: (b1) such that, by the first portable terminal, the first viewing state information includes content identification information identifying viewing content, Generating first viewing status information.

In the method for collecting the viewing information, step (b) comprises: (b2) the first viewing state information such that the first viewing state information further includes the viewing time at which the viewing content was output and viewed by the first portable terminal; It may include the step of generating.

In a method for collecting viewing information, the viewing content may include one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program.

In order to achieve another aspect of the present invention, the present invention, when embodied in a computer-readable medium and executed, includes code for causing a computer, which is an audience information collection server to be used for collecting audience information, to perform the following steps: And (f) receiving the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information from the first portable terminal, wherein the first viewing status information is the first viewing content. The receiving step of outputting by the portable terminal to indicate a viewing state, the viewing content is content of a broadcast program and received by the first portable terminal, and the first terminal identification information identifies the first portable terminal; (g) retrieving first subscriber information from the subscriber database corresponding to the first terminal identification information; (h) reading predetermined first information in the first subscriber information; And (i) generating viewing analysis information in which the first information is associated with the first viewing state information. The subscriber database associates the plurality of terminal identification information with the plurality of subscriber information identifying the plurality of portable terminals.

In the computer program product, the first viewing state information may include content identification information that identifies the viewing content.

In the computer program product, the first viewing state information may further include a viewing time at which viewing content is output and viewed.

In the computer program product, step (i) comprises: (i1) determining whether the first viewing status information includes the viewing time at which the viewing content was output and viewed, and (i2) if the viewing time is the first If it is determined that the information is not included in the viewing state information, the method may include generating viewing analysis information in which the first information, the first viewing state information, and the reception time are associated with each other. The reception time is a time at which the first viewing status information is received.

In a computer program product, the viewing content may include one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program.

In the computer program product, step (i) comprises: (i3) acquiring position information indicating a position at which viewing content is output and viewed by the first portable terminal; and (i4) the position information includes the first information and Generating viewing analysis information associated with at least one of the first viewing state information.

In the computer program product, step (i3) comprises (i31) obtaining location information based on the identification information of the base station, the base station comprising the step of managing communication in the area where the first portable terminal is present. Can be.

In the computer program product, step (i3) is (i32) acquiring the location information based on the second information transmitted from the first portable terminal, wherein the second information indicates the location where the first portable terminal is present. The above step may be represented.

The computer program product may further comprise (j) reducing the communication fee of the toll database based on the first viewing state information. The rate database stores communication rate information indicating a communication rate of the first portable terminal.

In order to achieve another aspect of the present invention, the invention is embodied in a computer-readable medium and, when executed, comprises code for causing a computer, which is a portable terminal used for collecting viewing information, to perform the following steps: And (k) outputting the viewing content to be watched, wherein the viewing content is the received content of the broadcast program; (l) generating first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed; And (m) transmitting the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the communication provider's viewing information collection server, wherein the first terminal identification information includes the transmitting step of identifying the portable terminal.

In the computer program product, step (l) comprises: (l1) obtaining content identification information from the viewing content for inclusion in the first viewing state information, wherein the content identification information includes the step of identifying the viewing content. Can be.

In the computer program product, step (l) may include (l2) acquiring a viewing time for inclusion in the first viewing status information, wherein the viewing time is the time at which the viewing content is output and viewed. have.

In a computer program product, the viewing content may include one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program.

In the computer program product, step (m) may include (m1) transmitting the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server each time the first viewing status information is generated. have.

In the computer program product, step (m) may include (m2) transmitting the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server for each predetermined amount of the first viewing status information.

In the computer program product, step (m) may include (m3) transmitting the first viewing status information to the viewing information collecting server in response to a request signal for transmitting the first viewing status information output from the viewing information collecting server. It may include.

In the computer program product, step (m) may include (m4) transmitting the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server at a predetermined time.

In the computer program product, step (m) may include (m5) obtaining location information indicating a location where the portable terminal is present, and (m6) transmitting location information to the viewing information collection server. .

Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments of a viewing information collecting system, a viewing information collecting server, and a portable terminal according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present invention, the portable terminal transmits terminal identification information for identifying the portable terminal, and information about the television broadcast viewed by the portable terminal. Then, based on the transmitted terminal identification information, the viewing information collection server retrieves subscriber information of the portable terminal. The audience information collection server prepares the audience information from the information about the television broadcast transmitted from the portable terminal and retrieved from the subscriber information. The viewing information collection server also provides a location where the portable terminal watches television broadcasts.

(1st embodiment)

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION The 1st Embodiment of this invention is described with reference to attached drawing.

1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a viewing information collecting system of the present invention. The viewing information collection system includes a portable terminal 100, a public carrier system 200, and a broadcasting company system 300. The public carrier system 200 belongs to a public carrier and provides a mobile communication service to the portable terminal 100. The broadcast company system 300 belongs to a broadcast company and provides television broadcast to the portable terminal 100. The broadcast company system 300 is associated with the advertising client system 400. The advertising client system 400 belongs to an advertising client and provides an advertisement to the broadcasting company system 300.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the audience information collection system of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, the configuration of the portable terminal 100 will be described. The portable terminal 100 is a portable (mobility) information processor such as a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and a laptop (laptop) computer. The portable terminal 100 includes a wireless communication unit 110, an antenna 101, a broadcast receiving unit 120, an antenna 102, a control unit 130, an operation unit 133, a memory unit 135, a sound unit. 131, an image display unit 132, and a clock 134.

The wireless communication unit 110 performs normal two-way communication with the public telecommunications operator system 200 via the antenna 101. For example, if a line control process is performed for wireless communication, a location registration signal is transmitted to the wireless communication base station of the public carrier system 200.

The broadcast receiving unit 120 receives a television broadcast via the antenna 102.

If a channel is selected (changed) by the operation unit 133 after the start of the application for reception of the television broadcast, the control unit 130 recognizes the selection of the channel and captures the current time information as the viewing start time. do. The control unit 130 associates the viewing start time with the channel identification information of the channel being watched. Thereafter, the control unit 130 generates the viewing status information and stores it in the memory unit 135. In addition, after the user of the portable terminal 100 finishes watching television broadcast, the control unit 130 recognizes the end of watching television broadcast. Thereafter, the control unit 130 captures the current time information as the viewing end time of the television broadcast. The control unit 130 associates the end time with the end time identification information indicating the end of the viewing (end of television broadcast reception). Thereafter, the control unit 130 generates the viewing status information, and stores it in the memory unit 135. In addition, the control unit 130 transmits the viewing state information and the terminal identification information via the wireless communication unit 110 every time the viewing state information is generated. Further, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the end time identification information is "999". However, it is not limited to this.

The sound unit 131 performs a sound input / output process of communication signals that the wireless communication unit 110 transmits and receives through the antenna 101. The sound unit 131 also performs a voice reproduction process of television broadcast that the broadcast receiving unit 120 receives via the antenna 102.

The image display unit 132 displays an image corresponding to the communication signal. The communication signal is received by the radio communication unit 110 via the antenna 101 as a screen operation on the screen. In addition, the image display unit 132 displays the broadcast image received by the broadcast receiving unit 120 through the antenna 102 on the screen.

The operation unit 133 is used to perform the control input / output process of the portable terminal 100 via the human-machine interface. For example, the human-machine interface is a button and a ten key. The portable terminal subscriber (user of the portable terminal) uses the operating unit 133 to start or terminate an application or to select a channel for receiving a television broadcast.

The clock 134 provides time information to the control unit 130.

The memory unit 135 stores terminal identification information for identifying the portable terminal. The memory unit 135 also stores the viewing status information prepared by the control unit 130. 3 is a table showing the viewing status information. As shown in Fig. 3, in this viewing status information 10, one record is composed of channel identification information 11 and viewing time 12. The channel identification information 11 includes identification information for identifying a channel viewed by the portable terminal, or end time identification information indicating the end of television broadcast viewing (end of television broadcast reception). The viewing time 12 includes a time at which viewing of the channel is started or a time at which viewing of the channel is finished. Also, in this embodiment, the terminal identification information and the viewing status information 10 are stored in the same memory unit 135, but the terminal identification information and the viewing status information 10 are respectively stored in different memories (not shown). It may be.

Next, the configuration of the public telecommunications operator system 200 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, the public carrier system 200 includes a wireless communication base station 211, a communication antenna 201, a communication switching center 221, and a server 230.

The wireless communication base station 211 is provided with a plurality of wireless communication base stations. Identification information for identifying a wireless communication base station is assigned to each wireless communication base station. In addition, the wireless communication base station 211 performs a communication process with the portable terminal 100 via the communication antenna 201.

The telecommunications switching center 221 performs a circuit switched or packet switched process over a fixed network or with devices belonging to different public carriers between individual portable terminals.

The communication antenna 201, the wireless communication base station 211, and the communication switching center 221 are typical mobile communication networks.

Server 230 is an information processor such as a workstation, a personal computer, and a combination thereof. The server 230 includes a service control station 240, a subscriber information database 241, a location information database 242, an audience rating analysis unit 243, a communication unit 244, and a memory 245.

The service control station 240 manages and controls the entire communication service. For example, when the line control process for wireless communication is performed, the service control station 240 performs the following process. The service control station 240 retrieves, from the location information database 242, terminal identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information of the portable terminal that transmits the location registration signal. Thereafter, the service control station 240 associates identification information of the radio communication base station 211 that receives the location registration signal transmitted from the portable terminal 100 with the retrieved terminal identification information. Thereafter, the service control station 240 stores them in the location information database 242, which will be described later.

4 is a table showing the contents of a subscriber information database. The subscriber information database 241 manages information about subscribers of the portable terminal 100. This is the HLR (Home Location Register). This subscriber information 20 consists of terminal identification information 21, name 22, address 23, age 24, gender 25, occupation 26, and the like.

The terminal identification information 21 is identification information for identifying the portable terminal and performing as a key code for searching, which is the same as the terminal identification information stored in the memory unit 135. In addition, this first embodiment is described as the terminal identification information 21 being the same as the terminal identification information stored in the memory unit 135. However, it is not always the same. For example, the terminal identification information stored in the memory unit 135 may be defined as specific information for identifying the portable terminal, and the terminal identification information displayed in the subscriber information database 241 may be defined as a telephone number, An apparatus for substituting specific information for the telephone number may be located between the portable terminal 100 and the server 30, and subscriber information and viewing status information may be designed to be associated with each other as a result.

The address 23, age 24, gender 25, and occupation 26 are information registered at the time of subscription of the user for the communication service of the portable terminal 100. In addition, the subscriber information database 241 of this embodiment consists of a terminal identification information 21, a name 22, an address 23, an age 24, a gender 25, and an occupation 26. Organize records. However, it is not limited to this. In addition, the subscriber information database 241 is updated to reflect new information about the subscriber. For example, subscriber information database 241 is updated by adding 1 to the age each time a subscriber's birthday arrives.

5 is a table showing the contents of the location information database. The location information database 242 manages location information indicating the location where the portable terminal 100 is located, which is a VLR (Visitor Location Register). In this positional information 30, one record consists of terminal identification information 31 and positional information 32, which are associated with each other. The terminal identification information 31 is terminal identification information given to the portable terminal 100. The positional information 32 is identification information of the radio communication base station 211 that receives the position registration signal transmitted by the portable terminal 100 in the line control process of the radio communication. The circuit control process is performed in a typical cellular system. Regarding this positional information 32, the new information is updated in response to the movement of the portable terminal 100. FIG.

The audience rating analysis unit 243 searches the subscriber information database 241 for terminal identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information, based on the terminal identification information received by the service control station 240. In addition, the viewership analysis unit 243 may, from stored subscriber information in association with the retrieved terminal identification information, preset such as a residence area (name of a state, city, town or village), age, gender, occupation, etc. which are part of the address. ) Read only information. The audience rating analysis unit 243 then associates the received viewing status information with the read current information to prepare real-time viewing analysis information and stores it in the memory 245. In addition, the audience rating analysis unit 243 prepares statistical audience analysis information based on the real-time audience analysis information. This statistical viewing analysis information is, for example, an audience rating for each age, each occupation, or each residential area.

The communication unit 244 performs a communication process with the broadcast company system 300 via the fixed communication network 500, and transmits real-time viewing analysis information or statistical viewing analysis information.

The memory 245 stores real-time viewing analysis information and statistical viewing analysis information prepared by the viewership analysis unit 243.

Next, the configuration of the broadcasting company system 300 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 2, broadcast company system 300 is an information processor such as a workstation, a personal computer, and a combination thereof. The broadcast company system 300 includes a broadcast control unit 321, a broadcast program content unit 322, a broadcast advertisement unit 323, a communication unit 324, an advertisement control unit 325, a broadcast transmission unit 311, and an antenna. 301.

The broadcast control unit 321 controls the entire television broadcast. The broadcast program content unit 322 has content information (data) of broadcast programs. The broadcast advertisement unit 323 has content information of broadcast advertisements. The communication unit 324 receives real-time viewing analysis information and statistical viewing analysis information transmitted via the fixed communication network 500.

The advertisement control unit 325 determines the broadcast timing of the broadcast advertisement, and instructs the broadcast control unit 321 to insert the advertisement into the broadcast program having the previous timing or to overlap the advertisement with the broadcast program. The broadcast control unit 321 selects the broadcast program content and the broadcast advertisement content while measuring the time, transmits them to the broadcast transmission unit 311, and transmits the television broadcast to the portable terminal 100 via the antenna 301. To perform. In addition, the broadcast control unit 321 requests the rating analysis service of the television broadcast to the public telecommunications operator system 200 via the communication unit 324, and determines the details of the rating analysis.

The operation of the audience information collection system of this embodiment will be described below. Initially, the transmission operation of the viewing status information performed by the portable terminal 100 will be described.

6 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 in the first embodiment.

When the application for television broadcast reception is started, the control unit 130 obtains current time information as the viewing start time from the clock 134 (step S101).

When the control unit 130 obtains the viewing start time, the control unit 130 generates viewing status information and channel identification information indicating the channel being viewed from the viewing start time. Thereafter, the control unit 130 stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S102).

The control unit 130 transmits the generated viewing state information together with the terminal identification information to the public telecommunications operator system 200 via the wireless communication unit 110 (step S103).

Next, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the channel is changed (step S104). If the control unit 130 recognizes the change of the channel, the operation flow returns to step S101.

If the control unit 130 does not recognize the change of the channel, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the television broadcast reception is terminated (step S105). If the control unit 130 does not recognize the end of the television broadcast reception, the operation flow returns to step S104.

If the control unit 130 recognizes the end of the television broadcast reception, the control unit 130 obtains the current time information from the clock 134 as the viewing end time (step S106).

After obtaining the viewing end time, the control unit 130 generates viewing state information from the viewing end time and the identification information indicating the viewing end, and stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S107). ).

The control unit 130 transmits the generated viewing state information together with the terminal identification information to the public telecommunications operator system 200 via the wireless communication unit 110 (step S108).

As described above, the process for transmitting the viewing status information is performed by the portable terminal 100.

Next, an operation for generating viewing analysis information, which is an operation performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200, will be described. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the public telecommunication operator system 200 of the first embodiment.

When the portable terminal 100 transmits the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information via the mobile communication network (step S110).

When the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 retrieves the terminal identification information corresponding to the received terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241 (step S111).

After retrieving the terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 determines the residential area, age, gender and occupation of the portable terminal subscriber stored in association with the terminal identification information. (Step S112).

The viewership analysis unit 243 generates real-time viewership analysis information by relating the read area, age, gender, and occupation of the read portable terminal subscriber to the received viewing status information. The audience rating analysis unit 243 stores the real-time audience analysis information in the memory 245 (step S113).

The service control station 240 transmits the real-time viewing analysis information stored in the memory 245 to the broadcasting company system 300 through the communication unit 244 (step S114).

In addition, if the real-time audience analysis information is accumulated up to a predetermined level of the memory 245, the audience rating analysis unit 243 generates statistical audience analysis information and stores it in the memory 245 (step S115).

The service control station 240 transmits the stored statistical audience analysis information to the broadcasting company system 300 through the communication unit 244 (step S116).

According to the above-described configuration, the broadcasting company system 300 may estimate a viewer group of each broadcast program based on real-time viewing analysis information, and broadcast an advertisement suitable for the largest number of viewer groups. In addition, the broadcast company system 300 may determine the broadcast program based on statistical viewing analysis information.

In addition, the subscriber information database 241 of this embodiment is installed in the server 230. However, if the subscriber information database 241 is located in the public carrier system 200, it is not limited to being installed in the server 230.

(2nd embodiment)

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the first embodiment, the configuration for acquiring the viewing start time and the viewing end time from the clock 134 located in the portable terminal 100 has been described. However, if the time data is read from the clock located in the portable terminal 100, its viewing start and end times are changed according to each portable terminal 100, which may lead to a decrease in the accuracy of the viewing analysis information.

In this second embodiment, it is recognized whether or not the viewing time is included in the viewing state information transmitted from the portable terminal 100, and if the viewing time is not included, the viewing start time and the viewing end period are stored in the server 230. The configuration obtained from the clock located at) will be described. In addition, components similar to those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the structure of 2nd Embodiment is basically similar to the structure of 1st Embodiment. Therefore, it demonstrates focusing on a different part from 1st Embodiment.

8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the audience information collection system of the second embodiment.

A part different from the first embodiment is in a configuration in which the server 230 has a clock 246 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment.

After the start of the application for television broadcast reception, if the operation unit 133 selects (changes) the channel, the control unit 130 recognizes that the channel is selected. Thereafter, the control unit 130 stores the channel identification information for the viewed channel in the memory unit 135 as the viewing status information. In addition, when the television broadcast reception ends, the control unit 130 recognizes the end of the television broadcast reception and stores identification information indicating the end of the viewing in the memory unit 135 as the viewing status information. In addition, whenever the viewing status information is generated, the control unit 130 transmits the viewing status information and the terminal identification information via the wireless communication unit 110.

As described in the first embodiment, based on the terminal identification information received by the service control station 240, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 supplies the terminal identification information corresponding to the terminal identification information to the subscriber information database 241. Search from. Thereafter, the viewership analysis unit 243 reads only preset information from stored subscriber information in association with the retrieved terminal identification information. In addition, upon receiving the viewing state information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 recognizes whether the viewing time is included in the viewing state information. If the viewing time is not included, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 reads the time information from the clock 246. Thereafter, the viewership analysis unit 243 associates the read subscriber information, the time at which the viewing status information was received, and the received viewing status information, and generates and stores real-time viewing analysis information. The clock 246 provides the time information to the viewer rating analysis unit 243.

The operation of the audience information collecting system of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the transmission operation of the viewing status information performed in the portable terminal 100 will be described.

9 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the second embodiment.

When the application of the television broadcast reception is started, the control unit 130 stores the channel identification information to be viewed in the memory unit 135 as the viewing status information (step S201).

The control unit 130 transmits the generated viewing state information together with the terminal identification information to the public communication service provider system 200 through the wireless communication unit 110 (step S202).

The control unit 130 recognizes whether the channel is changed (step S203). Here, if the channel is changed, the operational flow returns to step S201.

On the other hand, if the channel is not changed, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the television broadcast reception is finished (step S204). Here, if the television broadcast reception is not finished, the operation flow returns to step S203.

On the other hand, if the television broadcast reception ends, the control unit 130 stores the identification information indicating the end of viewing in the memory unit 135 as the viewing status information (step S205).

The control unit 130 transmits the generated viewing state information together with the terminal identification information to the public telecommunications operator system 200 via the wireless communication unit 110 (step S206).

As described above, a process for transmitting viewing status information is performed.

Next, an operation for generating viewing analysis information, which is an operation performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200, will be described.

10 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the public telecommunication operator system 200 of the second embodiment.

When the portable terminal 100 transmits the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information via the mobile communication network (step S210).

When the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 recognizes whether the viewing time is included in the received viewing status information (step S211).

If it is recognized that the time information is included in the received viewing status information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 performs the process from step S111 of the first embodiment (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, when recognizing that the time information is not included in the received viewing status information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 reads the time information from the clock 246 (step S212).

Next, the audience rating analysis unit 243 retrieves the terminal identification information corresponding to the received terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241 (step S213).

Upon retrieving the terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241, the viewership analysis unit 243 reads the residence area, age, gender and occupation of the portable terminal subscriber stored in association with the terminal identification information (step S214). .

The audience rating analysis unit 243 associates the read area, age, gender, and occupation of the portable terminal subscriber with the time information and the received viewing status information to generate real-time viewing analysis information. The audience rating analysis unit 243 stores the real-time audience analysis information in the memory unit 245 (step S215).

The service control station 240 transmits the real-time viewing analysis information stored in the memory 245 to the broadcasting company system 300 via the communication unit 244 (step S216).

In addition, if real-time viewing analysis information is accumulated up to a predetermined level of the memory 245, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 generates statistical viewing analysis information. The audience rating analysis unit 243 stores the statistical audience analysis information in the memory 245 (step S217).

The service control station 240 transmits the stored statistical viewing analysis information to the broadcasting company system 300 through the communication unit 244 (step S218).

As mentioned above, due to the configuration in which the time information is added to the public carrier system, the viewing time does not depend on the individual portable terminal. Therefore, the accuracy of the viewing analysis information is increased.

In addition, the subscriber information database 241 of this embodiment is installed in the server 230. However, if the subscriber information database 241 is placed in the public carrier system 200, it is not limited to being installed in the server.

(Third embodiment)

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the first and second embodiments, a system for transmitting viewing status information each time a channel is selected (changed) has been described. In the viewing status information, the channel identification information viewed by the portable terminal and the viewing start time are associated. However, employing the configuration in the first and second embodiments may result in the possibility of traffic increase and the inability to communicate efficiently.

In this third embodiment, a configuration for storing viewing status information in the memory unit 135 even when the channel is changed will be described. In the third embodiment, if the accumulated viewing status information exceeds a certain amount, the accumulated viewing status information is transmitted together with the terminal identification information. In addition, components similar to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the structure is fundamentally similar to the structure of 1st Embodiment. Therefore, it demonstrates focusing on a different part from 1st Embodiment.

If the generated viewing state information is stored in the memory unit 135, the control unit 130, in addition to the functions described in the first embodiment, is the predetermined amount of viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135? Determine whether or not. If it is determined that the predetermined amount has been reached, the control unit 130 transmits all the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 together with the terminal identification information through the wireless communication unit 110.

The operations of this embodiment will be described below.

11 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the third embodiment.

When the application for television broadcast reception is started, the control unit 130 obtains current time information as the viewing start time from the clock 134 (step S301).

The control unit 130, upon obtaining the viewing start time, generates viewing state information from the viewing channel identification information and the viewing start time (step S302).

When the control unit 130 stores the generated viewing state information in the memory unit 135, it determines whether or not a predetermined amount of viewing state information is stored in the memory unit 135 (step S303). That is, the control unit 130 determines whether the amount of the viewing state information accumulated in the memory unit 135 exceeds a predetermined amount.

If the control unit 130 determines that the predetermined amount of viewing state information has not been accumulated in the memory unit 135, it stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S304).

On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that a predetermined amount of viewing state information has been accumulated in the memory unit 135, all the viewing state information and the terminal identification information are transmitted through the wireless communication unit 110. (200) (Step S305). After that transmission, the control unit 130 performs the process of step S304.

Next, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the channel is changed (step S306). Here, if the change of the channel is recognized, the operation flow returns to step S301.

On the other hand, if the channel is not recognized for the change, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the television broadcast reception is finished (step S307). Here, if the end of television broadcast reception is not recognized, the operation flow returns to step S306.

On the other hand, if the end of television broadcast reception is recognized, the control unit 130 obtains the current time information from the clock 134 as the viewing end time (step S308). If the viewing end time is obtained, the control unit 130 generates viewing state information from the identification information indicating the viewing end and the viewing end time (step S309).

The control unit 130 determines whether a predetermined amount of viewing state information has been stored in the memory unit 135 when the generated viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 is stored (step S310).

If the control unit 130 determines that the predetermined amount of viewing state information is not accumulated in the memory unit 135, the control unit 130 stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S311).

On the other hand, if the control unit 130 determines that a predetermined amount of viewing state information is accumulated in the memory unit 135, all the viewing state information and the terminal identification information are transmitted through the wireless communication unit 110. Transmit to system 200 (step S312). After that transmission, the control unit 130 performs the process of step S304.

Next, an operation for generating viewing analysis information performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 will be described.

12 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the public telecommunication operator system 200 of the third embodiment.

The portable terminal 100 transmits the viewing status information and the terminal identification information to the service control station 240. The service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information via the mobile communication network (step S350).

When the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 retrieves the terminal identification information corresponding to the received terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241 (step S351).

Upon retrieving the terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241, the viewership analysis unit 243 reads the living area, age, gender and occupation of the portable terminal subscriber, stored in association with the terminal identification information (step S352). .

The audience rating analysis unit 243 associates the read area, age, gender, and occupation of the read portable terminal subscriber with the received viewing status information to generate statistical viewing analysis information. The audience rating analysis unit 243 stores the statistical audience analysis information in the memory unit 245 (step S353).

The service control station 240 transmits the statistical audience analysis information stored in the memory unit 245 to the broadcasting company system 300 through the communication unit 244 (step S354).

According to the above-described configuration, since the viewing status information is transmitted collectively, the viewing status information can be transmitted without any effect on efficient communication.

(4th Embodiment)

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the above-described third embodiment, the configuration for transmitting all the viewing status information and the terminal identification information stored in the memory unit 135 when the viewing status information stored in the memory unit 135 exceeds a certain amount has been described.

In this embodiment, when the portable terminal 100 receives a signal indicating the transmission of the viewing status information, the configuration for transmitting the terminal identification information, all the viewing status information, and the viewing end time stored in the memory unit 135 will be described. do. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component similar to the component of 3rd Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the viewing information collection system of 4th Embodiment.

Since this is basically similar to the structure of 3rd Embodiment, it demonstrates focusing on a different part from 3rd Embodiment.

A part different from the third embodiment is in the configuration in which the portable terminal 100 includes the judging device 136 in addition to the configuration of the above-described third embodiment.

The determination device 136 determines whether the signal received by the wireless communication unit 110 includes an information transmission signal indicating the transmission of the viewing state information. Further, the determination device 136, if it is determined that there is an information transmission signal, requests the control unit 130 to transmit the viewing status information and the terminal identification information.

The operations of this embodiment will be described below. In addition, since the operations performed in the public telecommunications operator system 200 are the same as those in the third embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

14 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the fourth embodiment.

When the application for television broadcast reception is started, the control unit 130 obtains current time information as the viewing start time from the clock 134 (step S401).

The control unit 130, upon obtaining the viewing start time, generates viewing state information composed of the viewing channel identification information and the viewing start time. The control unit 130 stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S402).

Next, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the channel is changed (step S403). Here, if the change of the channel is recognized, the operation flow returns to step S401.

On the other hand, if the change of the channel is not recognized, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the television broadcast reception is finished (step S404). Here, if the end of television broadcast reception is not recognized, the operation flow returns to step S403.

If the end of television broadcast reception is recognized, the control unit 130 obtains the current time information from the clock 134 as the viewing end time (step S405). After obtaining the viewing end time, the control unit 130 generates the viewing state information from the viewing information and the identification information indicating the viewing end. Thereafter, the control unit 130 stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S406).

The determination device 136 determines whether the signal received by the radio communication unit 110 includes an information transmission signal indicating the transmission of the viewing status information (step S407).

If the judging device 136 determines that the signal received by the radio communication unit 110 does not include the information transmission signal, the operation flow returns to step S403. If the judging device 136 determines that the signal received by the wireless communication unit 110 includes the information transmission signal, it requests the control unit 130 to transmit the viewing status information and the terminal identification information ( Step S408).

When the control unit 130 receives a request for transmission of the viewing state information and the terminal identification information, the control unit 130 transmits the terminal identification information and the viewing state information accumulated in the memory unit 135 via the wireless communication unit 110 to the public communication service provider system ( 200) (step S409).

Due to the above-described configuration, since the viewing status information is transmitted collectively, the viewing status information can be transmitted without any effect on effective communication.

In addition, in this embodiment, when the portable terminal 100 receives the information transmission signal of the viewing state information, the configuration for transmitting all the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 is displayed. However, it is not limited thereto. That is, the configuration as in the third embodiment is such that the control unit 130 recognizes whether the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 exceeds a certain amount, and, if received, before the reception of the information transmission signal of the viewing state information. If the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 exceeds a certain amount, all the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 may be designed to be transmitted.

(5th Embodiment)

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the fourth embodiment, the configuration for transmitting the terminal identification information and all the viewing status information stored in the memory unit 135 when the portable terminal 100 receives the information transmission signal has been described.

In this embodiment, the portable terminal 100 receives the information transmission signal including the information specifying the time at which the viewing status information and the terminal identification information is transmitted, and the terminal identification information and all the viewing information stored in the memory unit 135. A configuration for transmitting status information at a transmission designated time will be described. In addition, the same reference numerals are added to parts similar to the components of the above-described embodiments, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a viewing information collecting system of a fifth embodiment.

Since this is basically similar to the structure of 4th Embodiment, it demonstrates focusing on a different part from 3rd Embodiment.

A part different from the fourth embodiment is in the configuration in which the portable terminal 100 has a designated time recognition unit 137 in addition to the configuration of the third embodiment as described above.

The designated time recognizing unit 137 extracts and stores the transmission time designation information from the received information transmission signal, if the determination device 136 determines the reception of the information transmission signal. The transmission time designation information is information for designating a transmission time of the viewing status information and the terminal identification information. In addition, at the transmission designation time, the designation time recognizing unit 137 requests the control unit 130 to transmit the viewing status information and the terminal identification information.

The operations of this embodiment will be described below. Also, the operations performed in the public carrier system 200 are the same as those of the third and fourth embodiments. Therefore, the description is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the fifth embodiment.

When the application for television broadcast reception is started, the control unit 130 obtains the current time information as the viewing start time from the clock 134 (step S501).

The control unit 130, upon obtaining the viewing start time, generates viewing state information composed of the viewing channel identification information and the viewing start time. The control unit 130 stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S502).

Next, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the channel is changed (step S503). Here, if the change of the channel is recognized, the operation flow returns to step S501.

On the other hand, if the change of the channel is not recognized, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the television broadcast reception is terminated (step S504). Here, if the end of television broadcast reception is not recognized, the operation flow returns to step S503.

If the end of the television broadcast reception is recognized, the control unit 130 obtains the current time information as the viewing end time from the clock 134 (step S505). After obtaining the viewing end time, the control unit 130 generates the viewing state information from the identification information indicating the viewing end and the viewing end time. Thereafter, the control unit 130 stores the viewing state information in the memory unit 135 (step S506).

The determination device 136 determines whether the signal received by the radio communication unit 110 includes an information transmission signal indicating transmission of the viewing state information and the terminal identification information (step S507).

 If the judging device 136 determines that the signal received by the wireless communication unit 110 does not include the information transmission signal, the operation flow returns to step S503.

If the judging device 136 determines that the signal received by the wireless communication unit 110 includes an information transmission signal, the designated time recognition unit 137 extracts transmission time specifying information from the received information transmission signal. . Here, the transmission time designation information is information for designating a time at which the viewing state information and the terminal identification information are transmitted. The designated time recognizing unit 137 stores the transmission time specifying information in the memory unit 135 (step S508).

Thereafter, the designated time recognizing unit 137 requests the control unit 130 to transmit the viewing status information at the arrival of the transmission designated time (step S509).

 When the control unit 130 receives the request to transmit the viewing state information, the control unit 130 transmits the terminal identification information and the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 to the public communication service provider system 200 through the wireless communication unit 110. (Step S510).

Due to the above-described configuration, since the viewing status information is transmitted collectively, the viewing status information can be transmitted without any effect on efficient communication.

In this embodiment, a configuration for transmitting the viewing status information at the transmission designation time is indicated. However, it is not limited to this. In other words, the same configuration as that in the third embodiment allows the control unit 130 to recognize whether the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 exceeds a certain amount, and if the control unit 130 exceeds the predetermined amount of time, It may be designed so that it can be transmitted if the stored viewing status information exceeds a certain amount.

(6th Embodiment)

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The residential area of the real-time viewing analysis information or the statistical viewing analysis information of the first embodiment is information registered when subscribing to the communication service of the portable terminal 100. This does not provide information related to the location where the portable terminal 100 is watching television broadcasts.

In this embodiment, a system for providing real time viewing analysis information including information related to a location where the portable terminal 100 watches television broadcasts is described. In addition, about the part similar to the component of 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

Since this is basically similar to the structure of 1st Embodiment, it demonstrates focusing on the part different from 1st Embodiment using FIG. 1 as showing the structure.

In addition to the functions indicated in the first embodiment, based on the received terminal identification information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 retrieves the location information corresponding to the terminal identification information from the location information database 242. In addition, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 associates the retrieved location information, the information read from the subscriber information, and the received viewing status information, and generates and stores real-time viewing analysis information. In addition, the audience rating analysis unit 243 generates statistical audience analysis information based on the real-time audience analysis information.

The operations of this embodiment will be described below. In addition, since the operation for generation and transmission of the viewing status information performed in the portable terminal 100 is the same as in the first embodiment, it is omitted.

First, the process by which the portable terminal 100 registers (updates) its own position in the positional information database 242 is described.

17 is a flowchart showing an operation for location registration in the sixth embodiment.

The portable terminal 100 transmits a location registration signal to the wireless communication base station 211 together with the terminal identification information in order to perform location registration (step S601). The service control station 240 searches for appropriate terminal identification information based on the terminal identification information received by the wireless communication base station 211 (step S602). Upon retrieving the terminal identification information, the service control station 240 associates the identification information of the wireless communication base station 211 that receives the location registration signal with the retrieved terminal identification information. Thereafter, the service control station 240 stores them in the location information database 242 (step S603).

Next, an operation for preparing the real-time viewing analysis information performed in the public telecommunications operator system 200 will be described.

18 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 of the sixth embodiment.

When the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 retrieves the terminal identification information corresponding to the received terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241 (step S610). .

Upon retrieving the terminal identification information from the subscriber information database 241, the viewership analysis unit 243 reads the residence area, age, gender and occupation of the portable terminal subscriber, stored in association with the terminal identification information (step S611). .

Also, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 retrieves terminal identification information corresponding to the received terminal identification information from the location information database 242 (step S612).

After retrieving the terminal identification information from the positional information database 242, the viewer rating analysis unit 243 retrieves the stored positional information in association with the terminal identification information (step S613).

The viewership analysis unit 243 associates the read area, age, gender, and occupation of the read portable terminal subscriber with the received viewing status information to generate real-time viewing analysis information. The audience rating analysis unit 243 stores the real-time audience analysis information in the memory 245 (step S614).

The service control station 240 transmits the real-time viewing analysis information stored in the memory 245 to the broadcasting company system 300 through the communication unit 244 (step S615).

In this embodiment described above, the configuration for detecting the position of the portable telephone of the cellular system and generating the positional information thereof has been described. However, a configuration for generating position information using the Global Positioning System (GPS) may be considered as a modification. In this case, the portable terminal 100 has a GPS information acquisition unit for obtaining its own-current position by receiving electromagnetic waves from the GPS satellites in addition to the above-described configuration. The control unit 130 transmits the positional information obtained by this GPS information acquisition unit together with the viewing status information and the terminal identification information. When the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information together with the position information obtained by the GPS information obtaining unit, the service control station 240 searches for the appropriate terminal identification information based on the received terminal identification information, and receives the received terminal identification information. Associate with location information and store in it.

As described above, in the case of the configuration using GPS, the accuracy of the location information can be increased.

In the above configuration, the viewing status information may also include location information. Therefore, it is possible to know whether the television program of the key station is watched or the television program of the local station is watched, thereby increasing the accuracy of the viewing analysis information.

In addition, this embodiment was demonstrated as a structure added to 1st Embodiment. However, it is not limited to this. That is, it may be a configuration added to the second embodiment.

Further, in this embodiment, the terminal information is configured as the key code so that the location information of the location information database and the subscriber information of the subscriber information database are associated. However, it is not limited to this. That is, terminal identification information, location information, and subscriber information may be associated with each other, and two databases may be integrated into one unit.

(7th Embodiment)

A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the first to sixth embodiments, the configuration for providing the real-time viewing analysis information or statistical viewing analysis information to the broadcasting company system 300 has been described.

In this embodiment, if the user cooperates with the viewer rating analysis, the case where the communication price (call rate) is discounted according to the cooperation time will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the thing similar to the component of 1st Embodiment, and the detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an audience information collection system according to a seventh embodiment.

Since this is basically similar to the structure of 1st Embodiment, it demonstrates focusing on a different part from 1st Embodiment.

A part different from the first embodiment is in the configuration in which the public carrier system 200 includes a toll database 247 and an accounting control unit 248 in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment as described above. The storage process performed by the control unit 130 of the portable terminal 100 and the viewing state information stored in the memory unit 135 are also different.

The control unit 130 obtains the current time information as the viewing start time when the application for receiving the television broadcast is started and the channel is selected by the operation unit 133. Thereafter, the control unit 130 associates the viewing start time with the channel identification information, and then stores them in the memory unit 135. In addition, when the channel is changed or when the television broadcast reception ends, the control unit 130 obtains time information as the viewing end time and calculates the viewing time from the viewing start time and the viewing end time. Thereafter, the control unit 130 associates the viewing time with the channel identification information and the viewing start time stored in the memory unit 135 to generate viewing state information. In this embodiment, the viewing time is calculated from the viewing end time and the viewing start time. However, in order to measure the viewing end time from the viewing start time, a timer may be installed in the portable terminal 100.

The memory unit 135 stores the viewing status information. 20 is a table showing the viewing status information. In this viewing status information 40, one record is composed of channel identification information 41, viewing start time 42, and viewing time 43. The channel identification information 41 is identification information for identifying a channel viewed by the portable terminal 100. The viewing start time 42 is a time at which display of a channel is started on the portable terminal 100. The viewing time 43 is the time during which the channel is displayed on the portable terminal 100. In this embodiment, the viewing time is used. However, it is not limited to this. That is, the viewing end time when the viewing is completed may be used. In this case, an apparatus for calculating the viewing time based on the viewing start time and the viewing end time is installed in the public telecommunication operator system 200.

The rate database 247 manages subscriber's communication rates. 21 is a table showing the contents of the rate database 247. One record of fee data 50 consists of terminal identification information 51, communication fee 52, reward money 53, and charge fee 54, which are associated with each other.

The terminal identification information is terminal identification information given to the portable terminal 100 and is the same as the terminal identification information mentioned in other embodiments.

The communication fee 52 is the price for the communication line and corresponds to the use of the communication line by the contract subscriber. The reward 53 is a reward calculated based on the time when the user cooperated with the viewing analysis. Billing fee 54 is the price that is ultimately charged to the contract subscriber.

The accounting control unit 248 calculates the communication fee 52 each time the contract subscriber uses the communication line, sums it and stores it. In addition, the accounting control unit 248 calculates the reward 53 based on the time cooperated with the viewing analysis, sums it and stores it. The accounting control unit 248 also calculates the billing fee 54 for the contract subscriber from the communication fee 52 and the reward 53 and stores it.

The operations of this embodiment will be described below. First, an operation for preparing viewing information will be described.

22 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the seventh embodiment.

When the application for television broadcast reception is started, the control unit 130 obtains the current time information as the viewing start time from the clock 134 (step S701).

The control unit 130, upon obtaining the viewing start time, stores the viewing channel identification information and the viewing start time in the memory unit 135 (step S702).

  Next, the control unit 130 recognizes whether the channel is changed or whether the television broadcast reception is terminated (step S703).

If the change of the channel is recognized or the television broadcast reception ends, the control unit 130 obtains time information as the viewing end time, and calculates the viewing time from the viewing start time and the viewing end time (step S704). Thereafter, the control unit 130 generates the viewing status information from the calculated viewing time, viewed channel identification information, and viewing start time, and stores it in the memory unit 135 (step S705).

The control unit 130 transmits the generated viewing state information together with the terminal identification information to the public telecommunications operator system 200 via the wireless communication unit 110 (step S706).

Next, an operation for discounting the communication price based on the cooperation time will be described. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the public telecommunication operator system 200 of the seventh embodiment.

When the service control station 240 receives the viewing status information and the terminal identification information, the accounting control unit 248 reads the viewing time of the viewing status information (step S710).

The accounting control unit 248 calculates the reward based on the read viewing time (step S711).

The accounting control unit 248 retrieves the terminal identification information corresponding to the received terminal identification information from the fee database 247 based on the received terminal identification information (step S712).

The accounting control unit 248 adds the calculated reward to the reward related to the retrieved terminal identification information (step S713).

The accounting control unit 248 calculates the billing fee from the summed reward and the communication fee and updates the date of the billing fee (step S714).

Employment of the above-described configuration makes it possible to reduce the communication fee of the portable terminal subscriber.

In addition, the viewing status information of this embodiment has been described with respect to the case where one record is composed of channel identification information, viewing start time and viewing time. However, as described in the first embodiment, one record may be composed of channel identification information and viewing time. In this case, upon receiving the viewing status information, the accounting control unit 248 reads out the viewing status information received immediately before the viewing status information is received, and then stores the identification information of the channel for which the channel identification information was watched or the television. Recognizing whether or not the identification information indicating the end of the broadcast reception is stored, and if the identification information of the watched channel is recognized as stored, the accounting control unit 248 calculates the viewing time from the mutual viewing times; 248).

In addition, this embodiment was demonstrated with the structure added to 1st Embodiment. However, it is not limited to this. That is, it may be a configuration added to the second to sixth embodiments.

The first to seventh embodiments have been described using television broadcasting. However, it is not limited to this. That is, it may be a radio broadcast or the Internet.

In addition, 1st-7th embodiment was demonstrated using the portable terminal. However, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) equipped with a communication function and a television broadcast reception function may be used instead of the portable terminal.

In addition, the viewing status information of the first to seventh embodiments as described above is composed of channel identification information and viewing time information of the television broadcast viewed by the portable terminal 100. However, in the case of information for allowing a program or advertisement viewed by the portable terminal 100 to be identified, the present invention is not limited thereto.

According to the present invention, the viewing information for the content viewed by the portable terminal is stored in the memory of the portable terminal. Thus, the viewing information can be collected accurately.

In addition, according to the present invention, personal information and viewing history data are maintained at public telecommunications carriers. Thus, it is possible to reduce the effort and management costs required to manage personal information and viewing history data.

In addition, according to the present invention, personal information and viewing history data are maintained in the same service provider. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the effort and communication cost required to prepare the viewing history data.

In addition, according to the present invention, personal information and viewing history data are maintained at the same service provider, and personal information is not transmitted to the outside. Therefore, external leakage of personal information can be prevented, thereby increasing security efficiency.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a viewing information collecting system of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the audience information collection system of the first embodiment.

3 is a table showing viewing status information.

4 is a table illustrating contents of subscriber information database 214.

5 is a table showing the contents of the location information database 242.

6 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 of the first embodiment.

8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a viewing information collection system according to a second embodiment.

9 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 of the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation performed by the portable terminal 100 of the third embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 of the third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a viewing information collection system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG.

Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the portable terminal 100 of the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a viewing information collection system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG.

16 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the portable terminal 100 of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing an operation for location registration in the sixth embodiment; FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 of the sixth embodiment.

19 is a diagram showing the configuration of a viewing information collecting system according to a seventh embodiment.

20 is a table showing viewing status information.

21 is a table showing the contents of the rate database 247.

Fig. 22 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the portable terminal 100 of the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing operations performed by the public telecommunications operator system 200 of the seventh embodiment.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

100: portable terminal 200: public service provider system

241: subscriber information database 242: location information database

247: Rate Database 300: Broadcasting Company System

400: Ad client system

Claims (44)

An audience information collection system including a portable terminal and an audience information collection server, The portable terminal, A memory unit storing first terminal identification information identifying the portable terminal; A viewing unit which receives the contents of the broadcast program as the viewing content and outputs the viewing content to be viewed; A control unit for generating first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed; and A first communication unit for transmitting the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collecting server, The viewing information collection server, A second communication unit which receives the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information from the portable terminal, A subscriber database that associates a plurality of terminal identification information identifying a plurality of portable terminals with a plurality of subscriber information, and Retrieve first subscriber information corresponding to the first terminal identification information from the subscriber database, read predetermined first information in the first subscriber information, and wherein the first information is associated with the first viewing status information; And a viewing unit for generating viewing analysis information. The method of claim 1, And the first viewing status information includes content identification information identifying the viewing content. The method of claim 2, And the first viewing status information further comprises a viewing time at which the viewing content is output and viewed. The method of claim 1, And the viewing content comprises one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program. A communication unit for receiving first viewing status information and first terminal identification information from a first portable terminal, wherein the first viewing status information indicates a state in which viewing contents are output by the first portable terminal and viewed. Is a content of a broadcast program and is received by the first portable terminal and the first terminal identification information identifies the first portable terminal; A subscriber database that associates a plurality of terminal identification information identifying a plurality of portable terminals with a plurality of subscriber information; And Retrieve first subscriber information corresponding to the first terminal identification information from the subscriber database, read predetermined first information in the first subscriber information, and wherein the first information is associated with the first viewing status information; And an analysis unit for generating viewing analysis information. The method of claim 5, And the first viewing status information includes content identification information identifying the viewing content. The method of claim 6, And the first viewing state information further includes a viewing time at which the viewing content is output and viewed. The method of claim 5, The analysis unit, Determine whether the first viewing status information includes the viewing time at which the viewing content was output and viewed; If it is determined that the viewing time is not included, Generate the viewing analysis information in which the first information, the first viewing state information, and a reception time are related to each other; And the reception time is a time at which the first viewing status information is received. The method of claim 5, And the viewing content comprises one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program. The method of claim 5, The analysis unit, And a location information acquisition unit for obtaining location information indicating a location at which the viewing content is output and viewed by the first portable terminal. The method of claim 10, The location information obtaining unit obtains the location information based on the identification information of the base station, And the base station manages communication in an area in which the first portable terminal is present. The method of claim 10, The position information obtaining unit obtains the position information based on the second information transmitted from the first portable terminal, And the second information indicates a location where the first portable terminal is present. The method of claim 5, A rate database for storing communication rate information indicating a communication rate of the first portable terminal, and And an accounting control unit that reduces the communication fee of the fee database based on the first viewing status information. As a portable terminal, A memory unit that stores first terminal identification information identifying the portable terminal; A viewing unit which receives the contents of the broadcast program as the viewing content and outputs the viewing content to be watched; A control unit for generating first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed; And And a communication unit for transmitting the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to a viewing information collection server of a communication service provider. The method of claim 14, And the first viewing status information includes content identification information identifying the viewing content. The method of claim 15, The first viewing state information further includes a viewing time at which the viewing content is output and viewed. The method of claim 14, And the viewing content comprises one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program. The method of claim 14, The communication unit transmits the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server every time the control unit generates the first viewing status information. The method of claim 14, And the communication unit transmits the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server for each of a predetermined amount of the first viewing status information. The method of claim 14, And the communication unit transmits the first viewing status information to the viewing information collecting server in response to a transmission request signal of the first viewing status information output from the viewing information collecting server. The method of claim 14, And the communication unit transmits the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server at a predetermined time. The method of claim 14, A location obtaining unit for obtaining location information indicating a location where the portable terminal exists; And the communication unit transmits the location information to the viewing information collection server. As a method for collecting viewing information, (a) outputting, by the first portable terminal, the viewing content to be watched, wherein the viewing content is content of a broadcast program and is received by the first portable terminal; (b) generating, by the first portable terminal, first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed; (c) transmitting, by the first portable terminal, the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to a viewing information collection server, wherein the first terminal identification information identifies the first portable terminal; Transmitting step; (d) receiving, by the viewing information collection server, the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information from the first portable terminal; And (e) the first viewing information collection server retrieves first subscriber information corresponding to the first terminal identification information from a subscriber database, reads predetermined first information in the first subscriber information, and reads the first information. Generating viewing analysis information associated with the first viewing state information; And the subscriber database associates a plurality of terminal identification information identifying a plurality of portable terminals with a plurality of subscriber information. The method of claim 23, Step (b) is, (b1) generating, by the first portable terminal, the first viewing status information such that the first viewing status information includes content identification information identifying the viewing content. The method of claim 24, Step (b) is, (b2) generating, by the first portable terminal, the first viewing status information such that the first viewing status information further includes a viewing time when the viewing content is output and viewed; . The method of claim 23, And the viewing content comprises one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program including code for causing a computer, the viewing information collecting server used for collecting viewing information, to perform the following steps when the computer program is executed, The step, (f) receiving first viewing status information and first terminal identification information from a first portable terminal, wherein the first viewing status information indicates a state in which viewing content is output by the first portable terminal and viewed; The viewing content is content of a broadcast program and is received by the first portable terminal, and the first terminal identification information identifies the first portable terminal; (g) retrieving first subscriber information from a subscriber database corresponding to the first terminal identification information; (h) reading predetermined first information in the first subscriber information; And (i) generating viewing analysis information in which the first information is associated with the first viewing state information; And the subscriber database associates the plurality of terminal identification information identifying the plurality of portable terminals with the plurality of subscriber information. The method of claim 27, And the first viewing state information comprises content identification information identifying the viewing content. The method of claim 28, And the first viewing state information further comprises a viewing time at which the viewing content was output and viewed. The method of claim 27, Step (i), (i1) determining whether the first viewing status information includes the viewing time at which the viewing content was output and viewed, and (i2) if it is determined that the viewing time is not included in the first viewing state information, generating the viewing analysis information in which the first information, the first viewing state information, and a receiving time are related to each other; Including; And the receiving time is a time at which the first viewing status information is received. The method of claim 27, And the viewing content comprises one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program. The method of claim 27, Step (i), (i3) obtaining location information indicating a location where the viewing content is output and viewed by the first portable terminal; and (i4) generating the viewing analytics information in which the location information is associated with at least one of the first information and the first viewing status information. The method of claim 32, Step (i3), (i31) obtaining the location information based on the identification information of the base station, And the base station manages communication in an area in which the first portable terminal is present. The method of claim 32, Step (i3), (i32) obtaining the location information based on the second information transmitted from the first portable terminal, Wherein the second information indicates a location where the first portable terminal is present. The method of claim 27, (j) reducing the communication fee of the fee database based on the first viewing status information, And the rate database stores communication rate information indicating the communication rate of the first portable terminal. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program including code for causing a computer, which is a portable terminal used for collecting viewing information, to perform the following steps when the computer program is executed, The step, (k) outputting the viewing content to be watched, wherein the viewing content is the received content of a broadcast program; (l) generating first viewing state information indicating a state in which the viewing content is viewed; And (m) transmitting the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to a viewing information collection server of a carrier, wherein the first terminal identification information includes the transmitting step of identifying the portable terminal. Readable storage medium. The method of claim 36, Step (l) is, (l1) obtaining content identification information from the viewing content for inclusion in the first viewing state information, And the content identification information identifies the viewing content. The method of claim 37, Step (l) is, (l2) obtaining a viewing time for inclusion in the first viewing status information, And the viewing time is a time at which the viewing content is output and viewed. The method of claim 36, And the viewing content comprises one of a television broadcast program, a radio broadcast program, and an internet broadcast program. The method of claim 36, Step (m) is, (m1) each time the first viewing status information is generated, transmitting the first viewing status information and the first terminal identification information to the viewing information collection server. The method of claim 36, Step (m) is, (m2) transmitting the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server for each of the first viewing status information in a predetermined amount. The method of claim 36, Step (m) is, (m3) transmitting the first viewing status information to the viewing information collecting server in response to a request signal for transmitting the first viewing status information output from the viewing information collecting server. . The method of claim 36, Step (m) is, (m4) transmitting the first viewing status information to the viewing information collection server at a predetermined time. The method of claim 36, Step (m) is, (m5) obtaining location information indicating a location where the portable terminal exists; and (m6) transmitting the location information to the viewing information collection server.